adopt regulations on the subject, may justly look for such measure of support from the Federal and other governments of the country, as they may deem consistent with their constitutional powers and duty.

Resolved, That the results contemplated in the execution of their scheme by the fathers of the American Colonization Society, were of unsurpassed grandeur and beneficence, and that the success of their efforts in the establishment, mostly by private means, of the colony of Liberia, is demonstration that these results can be, and therefore ought to be, by the application of adequate powers and resources, attained.

Resolved, That the members and friends of the Colonization Society, are solemnly pledged before earth and heaven, not to abandon in their weakness, those free persons of color who, confidingly under their auspices have gone forth in the face of difficulty and danger, to plant upon the barbarous shore of their mother country, liberty and Christianity, but rather to extend to them assistance and encouragement in their honorable and magnanimous enterprize.

Resolved, That at this time, when our country is agitated by conflicting opinions on the subject of our colored population; when Africa is deprived annually, by the most cruel commerce of nearly or quite half a million of her inhabitants, when thousands are turning their thoughts and hearts to Liberia, as a small and attractive Christian State, looking forth to animate our hopes of the redemption of the most degraded and afflicted portion of the world; when this colony is exposed to danger, we are urged by the highest and most affecting considerations, that ever roused patriotic and Christian men to action, to adopt a national policy that shall tend to unite our own citizens, benefit our colored population, overthrow the slave trade, and bless enduringly two races of men, and two of the largest quarters of the globe.

Resolved, That this Convention are deeply sensible, of the favor shown to the colony of Liberia, by the successive administrations of our Gov ernment, and they doubt not, the whole country will sustain the Government in the maintenance of such naval force, and the application of such means on the African coast, as may be necessary to guard our commerce (already becoming of great value) on that coast, fulfil all the humane provisions of the law for the benefit of recaptured Africans, and effectually suppress the African slave trade.

Resolved, That, it should be deeply impressed upon the public mind, that both as auxiliary and protective to American commerce, on the African coast, and as a means for the extinction of the slave trade, the colony of Liberia is of incalculable importance, and deserves the vigorous and generous support of this nation.

Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the friends of African Colonization throughout the Union, to call conventions in their respective States, for the advancement of this cause and to increase the funds of this Society.

Resolved, That the Executive Committee of the Colonization Society, be requested by this Convention to prepare a memorial to the Legislatures of the several States of the Union, calling their attention to the present

condition and prospects of the colonies on the west coast of Africa, and soliciting their co-operation in the promotion of the scheme, by the appropriation of money or otherwise that the memorials be forwarded to the governors of the several States, with a request to lay the same before their respective Legislatures, and that this memorial be presented for the approbation of the Convention, at its next meeting.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare and present a memorial to Congress, recommending such measures to be taken for the protection of the Colonies, now established on the African coast, the promotion of American commerce on that coast, and the suppression of the slave trade, as the National Legislature shall approve.

The spirit of the fathers of the Society, animated this convention, the members felt alike the beneficence and dignity of their enterprise, and while looking with increased confidence for its support to the humanity and religion of the whole country, they were impelled by their own convictions, by great examples, by the very constitution and first principles of the association to invoke the aid of the State and General Governments. The earliest action of the Society had been to solicit the interposition and patronage of the States and of Congress; the law for the more effectual suppresson of the slave trade, and for the benefit of recaptured Africans, had been enacted in consequence of its memorial; the just but liberal interpretation of this law by Mr. Monroe, then President of the United States, had secured the success of its first experiment in colonization; new facts had extended and illustrated, and time had fortified that experiment; nearly half the State Legislatures of the Union had uttered their approbation of its patriotism and philanthropy, and now in addressing those Legislatures, and in allusion to the influence of the free and Christian institutions of Liberia, for the extinction of the slave trade, the illumination of the mind, development of the resources, civilization of the manners and renovation of the heart of Africa, the Convention adopted the thoughts so well embodied in the language of the first memorial, submitted by the Society to the Congress of the United States. "Independently said the President and Board of Managers at that time," of the motives derived, from political foresight and civil prudence on the one hand, and from moral justice and philanthropy on the other, there are additional considerations and more expanded views to engage the smpathies and excite the ardor of a liberal and enlightened people. It may be reserved for this nation, (the first to denounce an inhuman and abominable traffic, in the guilt and disgrace of which most of the civilized nations of the earth were partakers) to become the nonorable instrument, under Divine Providence, of conferring a still higher blessing upon that large and interesting portion of mankind, benefited by that deed of justice; by

demonstrating that a race of men, composing numerous tribes, spread over a continent of vast and unexplored extent, fertility and riches, unknown to the enlightened nations of antiquity, who had made no progress in the refinements of civilization, for whom history has preserved no monuments of arts or arms, that even this hitherto ill-fated race may cherish the hope of beholding the orient star revealing the best and highest aims and attributes of man. Out of such materials to rear the glorious edifice of well ordered and polished society upon the deep and sure foundations of equal laws and diffusive education, would give a sufficient title to be enrolled among the illustrious benefactors of mankind, while it afforded a precious evidence of the all prevailing power of liberty enlightened by knowledge and corrected by religion. If the experiment should ultimately diffuse similar blessings through those vast regions, and unnumbered tribes yet obscured in primeval darkness, reclaim the rude wanderer from a life of wretchedness to civilization and humanity, and convert the blind idolater from gross and abject superstition, to the holy charities, the sublime morality, and humanizing discipline of the gospel-the nation, or individual, that shall have taken the most conspicuous lead in achieving the benevolent enterprise, will have raised a monument of that true and imperishable glory founded in the moral approbation and gratitude of the human race—a glory with which the most splendid achievements of human force and power must appear insignificant and vulgar in the comparison. Above all should it be considered, that the nation or individual, whose energies have been faithfully given to this august work, will have secured the approbation of that Being whose compassion is over all his works, and whose unspeakable rewards will never fail to bless the humblest effort to do good to his creatures."

On the 13th April, the Rev. Wm. McLain, one of the officers of the Society, left Washington, under instructions from the Executive Committee, for the south-western States, and especially for New Orleans, where he was expected to meet the ship Mariposa, purchase supplies for her emigrants, and make all arrangements for their accommodation and departure. He was requested to obtain, if possible, the co-operation of the Mississippi and Louisiana Societies, to ascertain the exact state of the servants and estate of the late Capt. Ross-the condition of the slaves of his daughter, the late Mrs. Read-to confer with the friends of the Society, and, as opportunities might allow, endeavor to enforce its claims, and secure funds to aid its objects in the principal cities and towns of that widespread and wealthy district of the country. On his way, Mr. McLain visited Wheeling, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Natchez; and while he observed a growing attachment to the interests of the Society, and neglected.

no means to advance them, found it impossible, on account of general pecuniary embarrassments, to secure any large amount of funds. The Mississippi and Louisiana State Colonization Societies, evinced unabated ardor in the cause, expressed their approbation of the proceedings of the parent Institution since the adoption of the plan of union, and their desire for the appointment of an able agent, to visit all the churches within their limits, explain the object, and receive collections and donations for the Society. They believed that a valuable amount might, even in times of much pecuniary depression, be secured by such an agent.

Large meetings of colored people were addressed by Mr. McLain in various places, and many found disposed to emigrate to Liberia, but without present ability to defray the expense. About thirty in Cincinnati are making arrangements to remove thither; and the Colonization Society of that city has promised to afford them the requisite assistance.

Mr. McLain examined carefully into the condition of the slaves, liberated by the will of the late Capt. Ross, and of the property left in trust for their benefit, to the Society. Though this will is sustained by a decision of the Supreme Court of Mississippi, an attempt has been made in her Legislature to defeat its provisions-an attempt very properly and successfully exposed and rebuked, in a letter of one of the most distinguished citizens of that State. Notwithstanding this and other needless embarrassments, thrown around the case, yet the Committee expect soon to be enabled to fulfil the great purpose of benevolence which this will embodies. The large tract of land, left to be sold for the benefit of the slaves, is much depreciated; and the defence of the will has been attended with expense, yet the Committee trust, (and are confirmed in their opinion, by the observations of Mr. McLain,) that enough will be secured from the estate, to place the people, whose good was anxiously contemplated by the testator, in circumstances of comfort in Liberia.

Having attended to the various purchases and arrangements, connected with the outfit of the Mariposa, at New Orleans, Mr. McLain returned by the way of Charleston, to Norfolk, where preparations for the departure (with additional emigrants and supplies,) of this vessel, were soon completed.

An application has recently been made for the assistance of the Society. to establish in the Colony, without delay, a part, and at no distant day, all the slaves, left by the will of the late Mrs. Read, (the excellent daughter of Capt. Ross,) of Mississippi, to two gentlemen of that State. In accordance with the generous views of these gentlemen, the Committee have resolved to send a vessel to New Orleans in the course of next month, to receive such of these persons as may be ready to embark, (there

being about one hundred and thirty in all,) and to make all provision in their power for their health and happiness. Far more desirous, as the Committee are, to improve in all respects the state of the Colony, than to send to it additional numbers, cases are constantly occurring in which their interposition is sought, with such force of reason, in behalf of liberated slaves, as to render refusal well nigh impossible.

Among those for whose benefit the strenuous exertions of the friends of this Society, are demanded, the Committee may mention eighteen slaves in Kentucky, left by their former master with permission to emigrate, and who are in danger, if not sent to Liberia during the year, of reverting to slavery.

A number of slaves, near Shepherdstown, are in a state of preparation to emigrate, whenever the Society shall be able to receive them.

A venerable aged gentleman, in Tennessee, is desirous of sending sixtyeight persons, his servants, to Liberia, but is unable to defray their expenses. In Lynchburg, Va., are five; in Gloucester county, sixteen; and in Nansemond county, another company, about seventeen; and in Richmond, a number; all waiting to receive the aid of the Society.

Many masters in East Tennessee, desire to place their servants as freemen in the Colony; and many intelligent families of free colored persons from that region, and from the neighboring counties of Virginia, are anxious to find a home in Africa. Several of the latter description, of excel

lent character, from Illinois, are, also, applicants for emigration.

During the year, the Secretary of the Society has twice visited the cities of Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, and passed nearly three months in various parts of N. England. Some very intelligent friends of the Institution, in that section of the country-and especially the managers of the Massachusetts Society-deemed the state of the public mind favorable for a movement for the cause. The views of the Society were explained before public meetings in Boston, Charlestown, Andover, Salem, Newburyport, and New Bedford, Massachusetts; in Dover, Hanover, and Newport, N. Hampshire; in Montpelier, Woodstock, and Windsor, Vermont; and in Augusta, Hallowell, Bath, and Brunswick, Maine: in some cases, auxiliary societies were formed, and every where were found a large and intelligent portion of citizens convinced of the merits, and disposed by reasonable and regular contributions to sustain the operations of the Society. That much distrust has been thrown over the scheme of Colonization, and that it is not a little depressed and embarrassed in this region of our county, must be admitted. So few able agents of the Society have recently occupied this field, the efforts of its opponents have been so systematic, zealous, and long continued; their agitating discussions and